Italy condemns 'drone attack' on Gaza aid flotilla and deploys frigate
Source: BBC
Italy's defence minister has condemned what he said was an overnight drone attack by unidentified perpetrators on a flotilla trying to breach Israel's naval blockade of Gaza to deliver aid.
Guido Crosetto also said he had ordered an Italian Navy frigate to head towards the 52 boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which are mostly off the coast of Crete, to assist Italian citizens on board.
The GSF said several boats reported explosions and unidentified objects being dropped, as well as drones overhead and communications jamming. It accused Israel of a "dangerous escalation".
Israel's government has not commented. But it has previously said it will not let the flotilla reach its destination.
Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce3yz939qnpo
Italy's government had not been very critical of Israel, but is coming under popular pressure to be so:
Clashes broke out on Monday after thousands of Italians took to the streets in towns and cities across their country in a day of solidarity with Palestinians co-ordinated by trade unions.
Milan and Rome saw the biggest crowds and tensions spilled over around the central station in Milan where some 60 police were reported hurt.
Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, who has come under fire from political opponents for her position on Gaza, condemned the scenes in Milan as shameful.
Although she has become increasingly critical of Israel's offensive in Gaza, Meloni has not gone as far as France in deciding to formally recognise a Palestinian state.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1jz8rdypw4o
= new reply since forum marked as read
pairs well with a bolognese or pesto. 